As program coordinator for the Vilcek Foundation, Sheyhan Witharana works closely with the president and program officer on the Vilcek Foundation prizes, supporting the development of prizes, the appointment and administration of consultants and jurors, and the administration of the application process. Witharana also liaises with the board of directors and maintains organizational records and financial documents for the foundation’s executive staff. 

Prior to his role as program coordinator, Witharana served as executive assistant, providing logistical and administrative support for the foundation’s executive staff and board.

While working as executive assistant, Witharana also collaborated with the foundation’s communications and grants officer, providing support on institutional grantmaking projects including the New American Perspectives program with the Hawai’i International Film Festival. 

Witharana came to the Vilcek Foundation in 2018 with a background in arts management. He earned a bachelor of arts degree in entertainment business at New York University (NYU), with a focus on film, television, and theatrical production. 

Prior to working with the Vilcek Foundation, Witharana was a legal and executive assistant at Sloss Eckhouse LawCo, where he helped coordinate the complex legal logistics necessary for documentary filmmaking, working on Oscar-nominated films such as The Square and Cartel Land, as well as on several Netflix original productions.

Originally from Phoenix, Witharana is the son of immigrants from Sri Lanka. He is passionate about the power of philanthropy to enact real change, and appreciates the opportunity to work closely with foreign-born artists and scientists.